Today in South Africa is Heritage day or better known as National Braai Day.  What made this day even greater was Tom’s FIRST OUTING!!!!! Myself, Gary and Nicky Futter bundled (and I mean bundled, as we are not as skilled as the Rehab Team) Tom into the front of a sedan car and travelled 9.8km to the Futter’s house for a braai.  I could just see Tom drinking in the scenery, watching the trees go by, the clouds, the blue sky, the people walking, the cars.  Matt and Hayley – the Futter’s kids were a great help, Matt desperate to give Tom his lunch and Hayley happy to fetch a beer (!!!!) from the fridge for him.  2 beers was his quota and they went down “singing hymns”.

Tom has come so far in the last few weeks.  He fills his day with gym sessions, mastering the demo electric wheelchair, meeting with various wheelchair salesmen, and desperately and patiently he endeavours to master “The Dragon”.  This is the voice recognition software, called Dragon Naturally Speaking, that has been loaded onto his laptop.  At the moment it enables him to switch between applications, write documents, send emails, type messages on skype and move the mouse around the screen.  It has some hitches as it gets use to his voice but this should come in time.  The application he is desperate to master is Excel.

His breathing continues to be good and his lungs have been clear for a while.  He’s eating well and has put on a few kgs but is still lighter than me!  He can now sit most of the day in the wheelchair with few blood pressure issues.  Every now and then someone will need to lift his legs to get the blood pumping again.  If we don’t catch it in time he goes grey and passes out.  But this has got less and less over time - ruthless encouragement from Mel and Michelle!  His bald head, shaved in appreciation of everyone who has walked for him around the world, is slowly sprouting hair.  Hooray!

It’ll be my last day with him tomorrow for a while as Rob, Tom’s Dad and Gretta his twin sister arrive for 2 weeks.  I will take the opportunity to stay at home with the girls, who took my departure so hard this time round, and get busy adapting the house and finding a carer.  My emotions still run amock and at the most inappropraite times, I find.  I’ve said it before, the reality hits me in the back of my head like a cricket bat and I literally have to shake it out, take some deep breaths and just let it be.  I keep seeing how Tom is dealing with this and its humbling.  At lunch today Nicky said something very thought provoking and had I heard it 21 weeks ago I probably would have found it hard to do.  Make a Gratitude List of 25 things and then each day add 5 more things to that list.  One of those things on my list today was…  ”I am grateful to scratch that itch”.  

Another was “I am grateful for this day with my husband”.

(posted for Ross McAdam)

We woke early on Sunday to a glorious spring morning with the birds in full song, blue sky, no wind but a slight chill in the air. A perfect day for running and walking. We knew it was going to be a great day and even the very late running train and trams could not put a damper on our high. We were thinking and breathing Tom.

29,722 people entered the City to Bay run and you could feel the energy around you. Tom’s mate ‘Bob’ continued his Australian tour and several others who had only met Tom once or not at all were ‘Doing it for Tom’. When I started to think “This hurts and why is it called a fun run?” It was thinking of and breathing Tom that gave me the strength to pick up my pace and enjoy the atmosphere.

We rounded off the morning with a picnic in the sun by the sea, surrounded by friends and family all sending love and strength across the ocean to Tom, Sal and the girls.

What a fantastic day!

Our walk for Tom took place on the banks of the Lunde river in the Gonarezhou National Park, consisting of five homo sapiens, over one hundred and eleven species of birds, and as many species of mammals, reptiles and insects ranging from large Elephant to the smallest Mopani Fly.

Whilst breathing deeply and regularly with Tom we took huge elephant steps in the sand, we listened to the singing of the birds, we witnessed the slow ponderous movement of the crocodiles and hippopotamus, in comparison to the alertness of the antelope, we were in awe of the magnificent trees and the dryness of the bush. We silently pondered on the marvels of this world.

Last night I dreamt I was there. Mingling with everyone doing various show of strength walks around the world. It wasn’t clear in my dream whether I was walking or in my wheelchair but that didn’t really seem to be the point. What really mattered was the sense of belonging that I felt.

It is very difficult for me to remotely express my gratitude to all those involved in these events. This made me feel so helpless on Saturday that I’ve shaved my head. (Pic coming!)

I feel it is important that I let you know that this support from family, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers, is what keeps me going sometimes. I’m proud to be associated with all of you and look forward to mingling together for real. I am particularly proud to be a Zimbabwean and can’t wait to be home.

Here at  Muelmed my progress continues. I can sit for longer periods of time without passing out and have taken a demo wheelchair for a spin using no more than a chin control. The staff think I’m a bit of a cowboy and will not turn up the speed to maximum. I have only had one accident and cannot understand the attitude!

I have to go to the gym so I will sign off now. I look forward to seeing all the rest of the photos from the various events.

Thanks again. Lots of love. Tom.

Seeing the photos of Tom in Rehab is marvelous for me, now far away in London, healing slowly. 

Being at Richmond Park for the England walk/ride and reading about all the other walks for Tom in Brisbane, Harare, Perth, Sydney, the Vic. Falls run ( have I remembered all of them?)  I am thrilled  by this support  from so many people. When the chips are down the face of love shows itself.  At Richmond Park there was an amazing mix of people, a great span of ages from seventies t0 under one; of races, of backgrounds, of beliefs and lots of yellow!  The colour of healing, Sal says.  One family of four in gorgeous golden yellow T-shirts, also had bright yellow wigs and shakers!  One of the dogs wore yellow and one sported an entry number!  Most of all we were there with Tom and Sal uppermost in us.  This terrible injury has somehow given people an opportunity to show their hearts in a myriad unexpected and splendid ways.   How wonderful this is!  Jane Soper

(posted on behalf of Ross Mcadam)

After all the fantastic Show of Strengths all around the world, for our friend Tom, and his girls, this is a reminder that lil ‘ol Adelaide in Australia, is counting down to Sunday 20th September. The City to Bay Fun Run will be the event followed by a BYO picnic brunch at ‘The Bay’, on the grass outside the Melrose Apartments, just down from The Grand. Get there whenever you have finished your walk or run. So if you are in Adelaide, and not taking part in the City to Bay join us as friends of Tom and Sal for some family, friends and fun and to send our strength and breath across the ocean. If you want a t-shirt, like the Brisbane event, then please get hold of Ross, or for more information, on 0424361765.

On behalf of myself and all of Tom’s family, I would like to say a heartfelt thanks to all those who attended England’s Show of Strength, those who came, those who came and walked, rode. Those who came to support who haven’t even met Tom, those who travelled for hours to get to Richmond park and those who came from just around the corner. A special thanks also to those who could not come, but have kept Tom in their thoughts and made donations. Those who helped to organise the event. It was an overwhelming experience to be part of the group that met on Saturday 12th September. I will be going to SA and taking with me pictures and smiles from all those who came and made the day so special. I cannot possibly mention all the people that came on the day – but you know who you are and Tom and Sal will know who you are. Thank you so much for all your donations – I just want to let you all know that the money raised will go to a motorised wheelchair for Tom. So far we have raised £870 in total and I am still expecting more through the post – so well done everyone. Thank you so so much.
Take care, keep breathing with Tom. A special message to Tom – we are all with you day by day. THANK YOU.
To Tom and Sal, Ciara and Eren – lots and lots of love and good blessings. Gretta